Dayton man accused of dragging Shetland relinquishes animal to SPCA

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Published 4:39 pm, Tuesday, May 13, 2014

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A 5-year-old Shetland pony was injured Wednesday, May 7, when his owner allegedly dragged him down a road in Dayton. The pony is expected to survive, but he sustained serious injuries to his left side, left eye and hooves. less

A 5-year-old Shetland pony was injured Wednesday, May 7, when his owner allegedly dragged him down a road in Dayton. The pony is expected to survive, but he sustained serious injuries to his left side, left eye ... more

Photo: Submitted Photo

Dayton man accused of dragging Shetland relinquishes animal to SPCA

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A Dayton man accused of dragging a Shetland pony behind his vehicle on May 7 has voluntarily relinquished the animal to the Houston SPCA.

On Tuesday, May 13, Francisco Castillo Cruz, 68, appeared before Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Barry Graves for a hearing to determine the custody of the pony.

Cruz agreed to waive all rights to an appeal, which cleared the way for Judge Graves to grant ownership to the SPCA and require Cruz to pay for all medical expenses related to the pony’s recovery while being treated by the SPCA.

According to a press release from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the animal-dragging incident, this was the fourth case of animal cruelty that Graves has seen in his court in recent months with the victims ranging from horses to dogs, cats and smaller animals.

“Judge Graves stressed that some owners should exercise more responsibility, compassion and care for their animals and [called] for citizens to be ever vigilant for such cases of abuse and to report these situations when they are observed,” the sheriff’s office statement reads.

Cruz still is awaiting trial on the felony charge of Cruelty to Animals.

He is accused of dragging the small Shetland behind his pickup truck on CR 6021 in Dayton.

“The witness said that each time the little horse stumbled and fell on the road surface, the owner (Cruz) would get out and beat the small horse across the head with a belt and buckle. Then he would get back in his truck and drag the horse again,” according to the sheriff’s office.